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Dec 27, 2012
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there's 53 of us. after the first of the year there will be 55 of us. i would hope that the speaker and the republican leader here in the senate would come to us and say here's what we think will work. let's find out what that could be. because the speaker can't pass, it seems, much of anything over there. on the sunday shows they had republican senators and they were asked on the fox network, pretty conservative, that's probably a gross understatement, would you filibuster a bill that the -- the president's bill? they refused to answer. we don't make that decision. we can't answer that. well, filibuster is over all of our heads, mr. president. that's why we have to look seriously next year at changing the rules around here. the bill that has passed the house -- i'm sorry, the bill that has passed the senate protects 98% of families, 97% of small businesses. they passed a bill in the house that we defeated. that is extend the tax cuts for everybody. that was voted down over here. the president said we veto it. so this happy talk that republican house le
there's 53 of us. after the first of the year there will be 55 of us. i would hope that the speaker and the republican leader here in the senate would come to us and say here's what we think will work. let's find out what that could be. because the speaker can't pass, it seems, much of anything over there. on the sunday shows they had republican senators and they were asked on the fox network, pretty conservative, that's probably a gross understatement, would you filibuster a bill that the --...
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Dec 20, 2012
12/12
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they also expected of us. the other experience i had as a state official leak investigation and audits of public agencies. and at times kicking the hell out of them, really hitting them hard in very critical, calling for people to be fired, demanding accountability for tax dollars and four results. i do know this though. when a report is issued and findings are made, you can't simply have us, congress, or in the case of state officials in my experience, just yelling and screaming about the results. yelling and screaming about recommendations. resources matter. whether its personnel or, in the case of some of the work i did, information technology, hardware, whatever it takes we got to dedicate the resources. we cannot get the results you want just by yelling and screaming. you've got to have investment and resources. third point i would make is that your credibility at the department will be greatly enhanced by the pace of implementation, by the demonstrable success you have. in other words, that taxpayers can
they also expected of us. the other experience i had as a state official leak investigation and audits of public agencies. and at times kicking the hell out of them, really hitting them hard in very critical, calling for people to be fired, demanding accountability for tax dollars and four results. i do know this though. when a report is issued and findings are made, you can't simply have us, congress, or in the case of state officials in my experience, just yelling and screaming about the...
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Dec 19, 2012
12/12
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and he never let us down. senator inouye delivered a very touching, a very tender eulogy at ted stevens' funeral in august of 2010, and in that address he mentioned that millions and millions of words had been written of ted's accomplishments. and yet, as i was thinking about how i might frame my remarks about senator inouye's life, it dawned on me that millions and millions of words had also been written already about senator inouye. and that's because i think so many of ted's accomplishments came with dan inouye at his side. and not coincidentally, many of dan's accomplishments occurred in the presence of ted. so really where do you begin? there is really so much that must be said, that should be said. i was present at the baptist temple when senator inouye delivered his eulogy. and i had the opportunity last evening after we learned the word of senator inouye's passing, i had the opportunity to view that video clip again. and as i listened to that eulogy, it came to me that everything that senator inouye sa
and he never let us down. senator inouye delivered a very touching, a very tender eulogy at ted stevens' funeral in august of 2010, and in that address he mentioned that millions and millions of words had been written of ted's accomplishments. and yet, as i was thinking about how i might frame my remarks about senator inouye's life, it dawned on me that millions and millions of words had also been written already about senator inouye. and that's because i think so many of ted's accomplishments...
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Dec 10, 2012
12/12
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we are delighted to have her back to talk to us, or with us today. ambassador burt is currently now the managing director at associates, where he led the firm's work in europe and eurasia since 2007. but prior to this, ambassador burt was the u.s. ambassador to the federal republic of germany from 85-89. and before that worked in the state department assistant secretary of state for european and canadian affairs from 1983-85. and before that was the direct of political military affairs in the department of state. so he, along with his colleagues, has a long and imminent involvement in these issues. and, finally, last but not least, ambassador matlock known to many of us, career ambassador. he's been holding a series of academic posted i'm not going to list them all, since 1991. but during his 35 years in the american foreign service, 1956-91, he served as ambassador to the soviet union from 1987-1991. as special assistant to the president for national security affairs, and senior director for european and soviet affairs on the national security staff
we are delighted to have her back to talk to us, or with us today. ambassador burt is currently now the managing director at associates, where he led the firm's work in europe and eurasia since 2007. but prior to this, ambassador burt was the u.s. ambassador to the federal republic of germany from 85-89. and before that worked in the state department assistant secretary of state for european and canadian affairs from 1983-85. and before that was the direct of political military affairs in the...
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Dec 14, 2012
12/12
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now, that is so ridiculous that most of us use other kinds of baselines. we use something called the current policy baseline which essentially stems all of these tax loss. but more recently for everybody seems to be able to choose their own base line. the president has his own very peculiar baseline which takes credit for saving money commending the wars, bowls since then, as much as i admire what they did, they have the rather on baseline which assumes that we did not continue the tax cuts for the rich. so no wonder the public is totally baffled by all of this. i don't think other countries even use the concept of the baseline. the british austerity program, they compare what they supposed to what they did last year. a really radical notion. and so they, for example, proposed a path for spending which shows ever increasing spending on health. they don't compare it of -- where israel we talk about performing social security we talk about cuts in benefits. all your doing is slowing the growth. she looked at the ball simpson proposal for social security, the
now, that is so ridiculous that most of us use other kinds of baselines. we use something called the current policy baseline which essentially stems all of these tax loss. but more recently for everybody seems to be able to choose their own base line. the president has his own very peculiar baseline which takes credit for saving money commending the wars, bowls since then, as much as i admire what they did, they have the rather on baseline which assumes that we did not continue the tax cuts for...
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Dec 28, 2012
12/12
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you will need us. given all the changes in the world, there will be disasters that will strike everywhere else, and we want to be with you. we don't want to see the process so encumbered and so weighted down that that relief cannot come. and the sum total of these amendments would be to do that. i strongly urge my colleagues, hopefully in a bipartisan vote, to reject them. and i yield the floor to my colleague from new jersey. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new jersey. mr. menendez: mr. president, first of all, i want to thank the distinguished chairlady of the appropriations committee for the work that he and her staff have put together. it's really remarkable considering the time frame that they were in and, of course, former -- the late senator inouye, who, with his staff as well that the chairlady has inherited, it's just been an exceptional amount of work, along with senator landrieu. so certainly the people of the northeast thank you very, very much. i want to r
you will need us. given all the changes in the world, there will be disasters that will strike everywhere else, and we want to be with you. we don't want to see the process so encumbered and so weighted down that that relief cannot come. and the sum total of these amendments would be to do that. i strongly urge my colleagues, hopefully in a bipartisan vote, to reject them. and i yield the floor to my colleague from new jersey. a senator: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from...
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Dec 5, 2012
12/12
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he even showed us the been. all the house has to do is let it come up for a vote, pass it and middle-class families can go into these holidays with the certainty they deserve. mr. president, i want to be very clear about something because some of my republican colleagues seem intent on confusing the issue. republicans don't have to support taxes going up on the rich in order to vote for our bill to keep taxes low on the middle class. let me repeat that. republicans can believe that the bush tax cuts for the rich should be extended, they can remain committed to fighting for that misguided policy, in my opinion, and they can still vote on the portion of the tax cuts we all agree should be extended to the middle class. then middle-class families would win, we would have worked together to extend tax cuts for 98% of workers and 97% of small business owners, and then when the middle class is taken care of, i'd be happy to engage my republican colleagues in a debate about extending the bush tax cuts for the top 2%. bu
he even showed us the been. all the house has to do is let it come up for a vote, pass it and middle-class families can go into these holidays with the certainty they deserve. mr. president, i want to be very clear about something because some of my republican colleagues seem intent on confusing the issue. republicans don't have to support taxes going up on the rich in order to vote for our bill to keep taxes low on the middle class. let me repeat that. republicans can believe that the bush tax...
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Dec 17, 2012
12/12
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it took us in the wrong direction. and distracted us from the real problem. hopefully we can afford because that's where you find a bipartisan commitment spent i do want to follow-up on this. i totally agree with you, particularly on the voter registration from. multiple states put laws in place in 2010, 11 that made it harder for lunch and -- harder to register voters. go register another voter. you should have to register all men espoused to do that, there is no reason for the. that doesn't stop voter fraud. it doesn't make our elections -- there is no reason that you should do that. the only reason to do that is republicans want to make it harder for us to do voter registration. let's call it what it is. it's a partisan thing. we saw the same thing with governor scott. they made it harder to register voters. that's a problem. we should make it easier for folks to register. >> i applaud nevada. and i applaud the states like colorado, but had to work on their websites. if you going to let someone register online, we can learn from the last panel how to make
it took us in the wrong direction. and distracted us from the real problem. hopefully we can afford because that's where you find a bipartisan commitment spent i do want to follow-up on this. i totally agree with you, particularly on the voter registration from. multiple states put laws in place in 2010, 11 that made it harder for lunch and -- harder to register voters. go register another voter. you should have to register all men espoused to do that, there is no reason for the. that doesn't...
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Dec 10, 2012
12/12
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the chaplain: let us pray. almighty and everlasting god, who forgives the sins of the penitent, create in us contrite hearts and renew a right spirit within us. give our senators this day, o god, peace with you that banishes fear. help them to believe in your power, so that they may be certain that you are able to do for them more than they can ask or imagine. when the tasks are beyond their powers and duty calls for more than they have to give, may they find their strength in you. make them willing to do what is painful in the short term to avoid even greater pain in the long term. lord, give them confidence that you will protect them in the future, even as you have sustained them in the past. we pray in your great name amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the
the chaplain: let us pray. almighty and everlasting god, who forgives the sins of the penitent, create in us contrite hearts and renew a right spirit within us. give our senators this day, o god, peace with you that banishes fear. help them to believe in your power, so that they may be certain that you are able to do for them more than they can ask or imagine. when the tasks are beyond their powers and duty calls for more than they have to give, may they find their strength in you. make them...
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Dec 19, 2012
12/12
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the public has every reason to want to grab us and give us a good shake. we are sleepwalking through this era, lulled as we sleepwalk by the narcotic of corporate money. corporate money out of the polluters and their allies. we are lulled by the narcotic of manufactured doubt, planted in a campaign of disinformation by those same polluters and allies. but, madam president, history is calling us. loud and clear, history is shouting in our ear. we are sleepwalking along oblivious, but people across the country and around the world are counting on us. they are imploring us. we have responsibilities to them. yet here in congress we ignore the facts, we ignore our duties, and we sleepwalk on. it is irresponsible, madam president, and it is wrong. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from montana. mr. baucus: madam president, i would like to say a few words about our close, beloved friend, colleague, danny inouye. i'm hard pressed to think of anyone in this body that i respect or love more than danny inouye. his broad smile, his desire to work w
the public has every reason to want to grab us and give us a good shake. we are sleepwalking through this era, lulled as we sleepwalk by the narcotic of corporate money. corporate money out of the polluters and their allies. we are lulled by the narcotic of manufactured doubt, planted in a campaign of disinformation by those same polluters and allies. but, madam president, history is calling us. loud and clear, history is shouting in our ear. we are sleepwalking along oblivious, but people...
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Dec 19, 2012
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us. but you've also set some standards that i think both women and male senators are going to have to really try to emulate. i just want you to know that we love you, we appreciate you, and we wish you the very best, and we're going to miss you. this is one senator that will miss you greatly, and i just want you to know that. and all i can say is, god be with you. i yield the floor. mr. cochran: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator mississippi. mr. cochran: mr. president, i am pleased to join my colleagues in commending, congratulating our distinguished colleague from texas. her service here in the senate has truly been outstanding, and she has made an impact in our committee on appropriations, as we deliberated about funding of all of the federal agencies and departments of the federal government. she's been very careful, she's very serious about her responsibilities, and i'm glad to be here today to wish her well in the years ahead and to compliment her on a very distinguis
us. but you've also set some standards that i think both women and male senators are going to have to really try to emulate. i just want you to know that we love you, we appreciate you, and we wish you the very best, and we're going to miss you. this is one senator that will miss you greatly, and i just want you to know that. and all i can say is, god be with you. i yield the floor. mr. cochran: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator mississippi. mr. cochran: mr. president, i am...
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Dec 13, 2012
12/12
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senator byrd used it three times. senator mitchell used it three times. senator lott, when he was majority leader, used the gag rule 11 times. that is, cut off amendments. senator daschle only one time. senator frist, 15 times sm. those are the majority leaders. since 1985, awful those majority leaders -- all of those majority leaders used it a combined 40 times. our current majority leader, senator reid, has used it, as of yesterday, 69 times since he became leader in 2007. this trend, this gagging of the minority, is the primary cause of the senate's dysfunction. so, madam president, i wanted to correct the record. made a mistake and i'm glad to come. i don't want senator dole get the credit for that when senator byrd actually figured it out of and i want to leave a more -- i want to leave an optimistic -- i want to conclude with an optimistic point. i think most of us -- and i would include the distinguished senator from new hampshire in the chair because we've been together in discussions, bipartisan discussions where we've talked about this -- most o
senator byrd used it three times. senator mitchell used it three times. senator lott, when he was majority leader, used the gag rule 11 times. that is, cut off amendments. senator daschle only one time. senator frist, 15 times sm. those are the majority leaders. since 1985, awful those majority leaders -- all of those majority leaders used it a combined 40 times. our current majority leader, senator reid, has used it, as of yesterday, 69 times since he became leader in 2007. this trend, this...
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Dec 6, 2012
12/12
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lord, remove our sins from us and cleanse us with your spirit, emancipating us from fears about what tomorrow may hold. continue to direct the steps of our lawmakers, keeping them from eleventh-hour decisions that bring unintended negative consequences. remind them that the cost of indecision may be much higher than they anticipate. purple them of the things that increase discord, that in unity they may serve you with fanalfulness. we pray in your sacred name. amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c, december 6, 2012. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable tom udall, a senator from the state of new mexico, to perform the duties f the chair. signed: daniel k. inouye, preside
lord, remove our sins from us and cleanse us with your spirit, emancipating us from fears about what tomorrow may hold. continue to direct the steps of our lawmakers, keeping them from eleventh-hour decisions that bring unintended negative consequences. remind them that the cost of indecision may be much higher than they anticipate. purple them of the things that increase discord, that in unity they may serve you with fanalfulness. we pray in your sacred name. amen. the presiding officer:...
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Dec 12, 2012
12/12
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they don't say, well, the whole idea of trying to cure cancer is used to guide us, but a waste of money. the government should be involved in the. unfortunately, there are times when people evaluate investments that help our poorest children, the people in the toughest, most disadvantaged neighborhoods, some of our most intractable problems even with, for example, young people rescued from trafficking. these are very, very difficult problems. and we should evaluate and see what works. but we should also insist again there's not a double standard, so that if an evaluation, single evaluation or even a couple of evaluations somehow show that a particular strategy is not worth well, that is a motivation to do things better and smarter, not an excuse or reason to say government has no business being involved in that endeavor. so i think we need to be more change, accountability, evaluation, but not a tougher, higher double standard just when it comes to young people from the most disadvantaged and troubled environment. so there is so much to talk about in the innovation area. let me just men
they don't say, well, the whole idea of trying to cure cancer is used to guide us, but a waste of money. the government should be involved in the. unfortunately, there are times when people evaluate investments that help our poorest children, the people in the toughest, most disadvantaged neighborhoods, some of our most intractable problems even with, for example, young people rescued from trafficking. these are very, very difficult problems. and we should evaluate and see what works. but we...
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Dec 26, 2012
12/12
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that is the challenge to us. i know there are many other things i can speak to, but i do believe we've got to be honest in this coming congress. i believe that when it comes to federal elections we have a federal responsibility to make sure that qualified voters don't have obstacles thrown in their path and to those who will, i hope you took a lesson from november 6. there were people who stood there for seven hours to defy you, to tell you that every obstacle you through in their path was another challenge for them to stand and vote and be counted, whatever the time, whatever the cost. thank goodness they did. it was a reaffirmation of who we are as americans. senator whitehouse? >> thank you, chairman. i would just speak very pretty but i'm delighted that we're having this hearing, the right to vote is perhaps the basic american right. it is the anchor of our democracy, and, unfortunately, i believe it is being challenged. i think the modern day republican party has a problem, which is that most of the goals of
that is the challenge to us. i know there are many other things i can speak to, but i do believe we've got to be honest in this coming congress. i believe that when it comes to federal elections we have a federal responsibility to make sure that qualified voters don't have obstacles thrown in their path and to those who will, i hope you took a lesson from november 6. there were people who stood there for seven hours to defy you, to tell you that every obstacle you through in their path was...
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Dec 11, 2012
12/12
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used it seven times. senator byrd, who never used it, that gag rule to stop the minority from offering amendments, i guess, was disappointed he hadn't thought of it so he found a way to use it three times as he was the majority leader. senator mitchell used it three times, senator lott 11, senator daschle only once this gag rule, senator frist 15. all of those leaders used it 40 times. our majority leader, senator reid has used it 68. so we can all come up with statistics on both sides, but shouldn't we just resolve that what we would like to do, show the country that we're grown-up, responsible adults and we can sit down and say, yes, we can agree on ways to make sure that most bills come to the floor and senators get to offer most of the amendments that they want to offer on the bill? i think we can do that. i think there's a spirit on both sides of the aisle to do that, and i'm working toward that goal, and i know a number of democrats and republicans are doing that. and i appreciate the spirit of the
used it seven times. senator byrd, who never used it, that gag rule to stop the minority from offering amendments, i guess, was disappointed he hadn't thought of it so he found a way to use it three times as he was the majority leader. senator mitchell used it three times, senator lott 11, senator daschle only once this gag rule, senator frist 15. all of those leaders used it 40 times. our majority leader, senator reid has used it 68. so we can all come up with statistics on both sides, but...
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Dec 28, 2012
12/12
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dan didn't want us to be in awe of him, but many of us were anyway. his integrity and his authenticity were momentous. he approached policy and public service with a pure heart. as chairman of the appropriations committee, to be succeeded by the wonderful senator from maryland, and the defense appropriations subcommittee, he was respected by everybody on both sides of the aisle. he was a taskmaster. he could be tough. he ran a tight and highly disciplined ship, but unfailingly courteous an generous. i have no doubt that one of the most difficult decisions that he ever had to make was to implement the ongoing ban on congressional earmarks. dan inouye believed in congressional earmarks, as does the speaker, ciewrnlt speaker. he was adamant in his support of the constitutional right of members to direct investments to their states. but he recognized that his bills had no chance of being enacted into law in the current political climate. he fought back against draconian funding cuts in the ryan budget, and in a very partisan environment moved all 12 of hi
dan didn't want us to be in awe of him, but many of us were anyway. his integrity and his authenticity were momentous. he approached policy and public service with a pure heart. as chairman of the appropriations committee, to be succeeded by the wonderful senator from maryland, and the defense appropriations subcommittee, he was respected by everybody on both sides of the aisle. he was a taskmaster. he could be tough. he ran a tight and highly disciplined ship, but unfailingly courteous an...
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Dec 6, 2012
12/12
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again, playing -- using the debt ceiling as leverage, using the debt ceiling as a threat, using the debt ceiling as a way to achieve a different agenda is dangerous. it's playing with fire. and yet, with the opportunity to take that off the table, reassure the markets, the minority leader blinked. i don't know why. it's hard to figure out the strategy that he's employing, but we would hope on this side of the aisle -- and i think i speak for all of us -- that he would reconsider and perhaps early next week let us vote on his own resolution. i yield the floor. mr. schumer: i notice the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. a senator: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from north dakota. a senator: i ask that the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. hoeven: madam president, today i would like to speak on several important issues pending before the senate, issues i believe that are related. i want to speak first about the recent proposal to change the rules of the senate with a simple majority vote. seco
again, playing -- using the debt ceiling as leverage, using the debt ceiling as a threat, using the debt ceiling as a way to achieve a different agenda is dangerous. it's playing with fire. and yet, with the opportunity to take that off the table, reassure the markets, the minority leader blinked. i don't know why. it's hard to figure out the strategy that he's employing, but we would hope on this side of the aisle -- and i think i speak for all of us -- that he would reconsider and perhaps...
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Dec 20, 2012
12/12
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, the appropriate use of energy. he's also focused on some of the greatest challenges facing our educational system, including presenting dropouts and the use of education technology. scott brown drew on his use in the national guard to advocate for our service members. i'm pleased we were oibl able to create the office of the office of affairs at the consumer protection bureau. i've had the honor of serving with kay bailey hutchison. joe lieberman and i have worked many, many hours to protect the submarine industrial base that's crucial not only to our strategic posture but also to our local economies. and he's done it with great vision and great energy and i thank him for that. richard lugar is one of the most decent and thoughtful individuals ever to serve in this body. we will miss his wisdom and his advice particularly on nuclear nonproproliferation and arms control. i'm pleased to have joined him in so many other issues and he leaves an extraordinary mark on this institution. and i've also had the privilege to
, the appropriate use of energy. he's also focused on some of the greatest challenges facing our educational system, including presenting dropouts and the use of education technology. scott brown drew on his use in the national guard to advocate for our service members. i'm pleased we were oibl able to create the office of the office of affairs at the consumer protection bureau. i've had the honor of serving with kay bailey hutchison. joe lieberman and i have worked many, many hours to protect...
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Dec 11, 2012
12/12
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those even against us. that's why there is broad support for extending this worthwhile policy. legislation in the house of representatives to extend the production tax credit has 119 cosponsors, including 25 republicans. in august, the senate finance committee with a bipartisan vote passed my extension of the wind energy production tax credit amendment that i offered at that particular time. the governor's wind energy coalition and the western governors association have called for an extension of the production tax credit. the western governors association is an independent organization representing governors of 19 states and current membership includes 13 republicans and six democratic governors, so there is a pretty broad bipartisan consensus among governors that this ought to be extended. i was pleased to join a press conference a few weeks ago with senator mark udall and over 40 veterans, meaning military veterans representing operation free. they were visiting capitol hill to meet with members of congr
those even against us. that's why there is broad support for extending this worthwhile policy. legislation in the house of representatives to extend the production tax credit has 119 cosponsors, including 25 republicans. in august, the senate finance committee with a bipartisan vote passed my extension of the wind energy production tax credit amendment that i offered at that particular time. the governor's wind energy coalition and the western governors association have called for an extension...
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Dec 18, 2012
12/12
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he stood there for 10-15 minutes and explained those experiences to us, most of us have never had that sort of experience. it gave us a new sense of him, and it increased our respect for him, if that could have been pofnlpossible. so i join with my colleagues to say that senator dan inouye was a patriot. he set the standard really for a united states senator. he set the standard for a man or woman in our military fighting to defend his or her country. and he set the standard as an individual who showed courtesy to everyone he met. we will miss him. we honor him, and we say to his family our expressions of grief to them but, more importantly, our great respect for our colleague who today is gone. thank you, mr. president. i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from eafnlg alaska. mr. begich: mr. president, i ask consent to speak until my comments are completed. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. begich: i rise today to pay tribute to a mentor of mine in the senate, senator daniel inouye. the histories of my state and senator inouye's closely -- are closely conn
he stood there for 10-15 minutes and explained those experiences to us, most of us have never had that sort of experience. it gave us a new sense of him, and it increased our respect for him, if that could have been pofnlpossible. so i join with my colleagues to say that senator dan inouye was a patriot. he set the standard really for a united states senator. he set the standard for a man or woman in our military fighting to defend his or her country. and he set the standard as an individual...